For Juliana Gomes, the impetus for creating the Brazilian Festival sprang from conversations she had with other Brazilian immigrants living in the area.
“I was talking to other Brazilian women, and they were entrepreneurs,” she said. “And we thought, maybe there’s a way we can all get together to show off all these things they’re doing? And then we thought, it should be more than just us, it should highlight the Brazilian people and culture.”
That idea took root quickly, and before she knew it, Gomes and her group of friends had a mini-festival on their hands, which they held for the first time last year. After a surprisingly popular start to their event, they’re back this year with a two-day festival June 25 and 26 in the parking lot of Fox River Commons Shopping Center, at the corner of Ogden Avenue and Route 59.
“This was a surprise to us that so many people came out,” Gomes said. “I think there are more Brazilians living here than I knew about — but also, (other) people were coming out. It was nice to see how people were curious and willing to try our food and our fashions and talk to our people. It was a very positive experience.”
Gomes had initially expected a more intimate event, held in her own backyard.
“But it got too big for my backyard, so we had to find a new place to do it,” she said. After a friend secured the parking at her church, they were back in business.
But on the day of the event, they weren’t prepared for the number of people who showed up.
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“We ran out of food!” she said. “In Brazil, you never run out of food. But we didn’t know what to expect.”
With a year under the belt and more time to plan it, Gomes is organizing a two-day festival this year.
“This year, I’m so fancy — I have sponsors now,” she said. “It’s nice to see how the local community is open to finding out more about Brazil.”
At this year’s festival, she’s expecting about 35 vendors selling Brazilian fashion and jewelry, as well as some services like financial services and real estate. You can expect to find demonstrations of jujitsu, a martial art popular in the country, and hear plenty of Brazilian music. Take a taste of coffee from Brazil or try some of the national specialties that will be available this year.
“We’ll have a lot more food,” Gomes said.
But even though the event has grown, Gomes is expecting to keep the laid-back atmosphere that she associates with Brazil.
“When people in Brazil go somewhere, they stay there for a while; they visit,” she said. “People can come here and bring a chair and spend the afternoon. We’ll have a bounce house and other things for the kids. Everyone can spend time getting to know each other.”
Brazilian Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25 and noon to 5 p.m. June 26
Where: Fox River Commons, Ogden Avenue and Route 59, Naperville
Tickets: Free
Information: eventbrite.com/e/brazilian-festival-tickets-317402317877
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.